Uganda Rolls Out Third Phase of Digital Vehicle Registration Plates with ITMS Expansion

Summary:

• Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport has launched the third phase of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), introducing digital vehicle registration plates for first-time vehicle registrations. The initiative, aimed at enhancing transport monitoring and road safety, is being rolled out at key border points and fitment centres across the country.

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The Ministry of Works and Transport has launched the third phase of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) project, marking a major milestone in the implementation of digital vehicle registration plates for both private and public motor vehicles entering Uganda. The rollout events took place at the Malaba and Mutukula border entry points, underscoring the initiative’s nationwide significance.

Launched in November 2023, the ITMS project initially focused on government vehicles and later expanded to include motorcycles and tricycles by November 2024. The latest phase is aimed at vehicles undergoing first-time registration within Uganda, furthering the government’s efforts to enhance transport monitoring, improve road safety, and combat motor vehicle-related crimes.

The rollout was officially launched by Susan Kataike, Head of Communications at the Ministry, alongside the JSCGS team, at the one-stop customs center in Malaba. The digital registration plates are a crucial step toward modernizing Uganda’s transport systems.

The cost of obtaining a digital registration plate is UGX 714,300. The registration process is simplified for two categories of vehicle importers:

1. Vehicles Clearing Taxes at Entry Points (DIRECT IM4): Importers clearing taxes at Mombasa or Dar es Salaam can enter Uganda with a vehicle already fitted with a digital plate and a logbook. After clearing taxes, owners can book their plates via the ITMS portal.
2. Vehicles Cleared After Storage in Bonded Warehouses (FROM IM7): Vehicles imported into bonded warehouses must complete tax clearance on the URA portal, followed by Ministry of Works and Transport assessments. Afterward, owners can book a digital plate through the ITMS portal.

The Ministry, in collaboration with Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS), has established fitment centres at border points, bonded warehouses, and key upcountry offices. In Kampala, nine major bonds, including Kampala Modernity, Cadam Enterprises, and CFAO Motors, are designated as fitment centres. Upcountry offices are now operational in towns such as Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Mbale, Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale.

Kataike emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and efficient rollout. “Our goal is to make the process efficient and accessible to all Ugandans,” she said, urging vehicle owners to book their digital plates through the portal or contact JSCGS for assistance.

Uganda continues to modernize its transport systems, aligning with global standards while enhancing vehicle tracking and reducing vehicle-related crimes. The ITMS project, led by the Ministry of Works and Transport in partnership with JSCGS, aims to transform the nation’s transport monitoring systems, benefiting vehicle owners and contributing to overall safety and compliance.